Shadowland Doctors

BABY GURGLES

BABY COUGHS

BABY WAILS

POUNDING HEARTBEAT

MUTED WAILING

Jen? What are you doing?

I just needed a glass of water.

You shouldn't go creeping about in the dark. Stay in bed.

There. You're both nice and snug now.

-Finn?

-What?

Nothing. It's OK.

If you twist my arm, I'll make tea.

HE HUMS A TUNE

Heston! What time do you call this?

Um...I'm not late, am I?

I've been here since 7:00. Skipped breakfast.

Ah, foolish idea. Most important meal of the day.

Breakfast is for wimps.

No, I'm kidding.

My brain's been in overdrive since the last partners' meeting.

-Some ground-breaking ideas came up.

-Such as?

Actually, I do have an exciting new proposal for you.

-Could we discuss it after surgery?

-Oh, yes, of course.

Sid! I'd completely forgotten!

Is it a bad time? Should I...?

No, don't be daft. It's great to see you. Come on in.

Hey, Jen, look who's here!

Hi! Mwah!

We're supposed to be giving him lunch. Remember?

Oh, no, no. It's fine, honestly.

I'll just have a coffee. In fact, don't even bother.

Yeah. Way too much to ask(!)

I'll put the kettle on.

So, Jenny, how are you? Everything OK?

Um... Actually, I've brought you a present.

Well, actually, there's two of them.

Pink for a girl and blue for a boy.

SHE SOBS

Is too gender specific?

Mate...we lost one of the twins.

Two weeks ago.

-Ooo!

-Oh!

-Ooo, sorry!

Ah! May I say how, er...beautiful you look?

-Oh!

-Especially with the rosy hue in your cheeks.

You, too. Handsome, I mean.

Very smart.

Well, I thought I'd make an effort.

It's a very important day.

Yes, we'd better get going, or we'll be late for the appointment.

What appointment? I thought we were going for lunch.

Don't be silly. We've got a wedding to plan.

But there's something I want to give you first.

-Well, that's going to have to wait.

-Er...it...it can't!

I want to make this official.

Oh, Barry!

-Oh.

-Small, but, er...flawless.

That's what the jeweller said at the Jewellery Quarter.

The Jewellery Quarter.

We went for the routine 20-week scan

and they told us our son was dead.

Congenital heart disease.

I'm really sorry.

We're going to have a beautiful baby girl.

KNOCK AT DOOR

I'll get that.

Jenny, look, if there's anything I can do...

-And I know that sounds cliched...

-Thanks.

No offence, could you lose those bunnies?

Oh, yeah, of course. I'll, um...

I'll put them in the car, out of the way, yeah?

(OK.)

POUNDING HEARTBEAT

MUTED WAILING

Something else I forgot.

-What is it?

-A twin buggy.

I ordered it ages ago and it was out of stock.

We're going to have to stash it.

Can we put it in your boot, just for now?

Er, yeah, yeah, sure, sure. Um...

There we go.

There we are, snug. Um...now what?

We take it to my parents' house.

-Finn?

-Er...so, how many miles to the gallon?

Er...quite a few, actually, yeah. Quite a lot, actually, yeah.

Who was that at the door?

The door? Oh, just a delivery man. Wrong address.

Sid was just showing me his car. Smart, eh?

Well, it's nothing special, really.

We had to sell ours.

Sid was saying, why don't he and I go for a drive, catch up,

while you have a lie down?

Are you kidding? I'm starving. Let's all go to the pub for lunch.

Aw, come on, guys, live dangerously!

I'm sure you're going to be absolutely fine. OK?

Afternoon.

-Running late?

-Um...only two minutes.

Conscientious to a fault.

Ah, Tuscany!

You'll be there next week, sipping a limoncello on the terrace.

Yes, I'm showing Ruhma the villa.

Sounds great. Glad to see we're on the same page.

-Sorry, I don't understand.

-Taking more time out to enjoy life.

I thought you were here to discuss an exciting new proposal?

This is it. Cutting back your hours.

With Zara and Sid on the books,

there's absolutely no need for you to work here full-time.

Are you saying that I'm surplus to requirements?

Not at all! No!

But a man at your level of seniority

shouldn't be working to such a punishing schedule.

You've served this practice well.

You deserve this, Heston.

Anyway, mull it over.

But if I were you, I'd grab the opportunity with both hands.

Heading down to the sandwich shop. Want anything?

I'll come with you. Get a blast of air.

Anthony?

-Heston?

-Um...may I have another word?

Sure. Would you care to join us?

Isn't lunch for wimps?

Ah! Touche!

Shall we say 2:30, then?

Bon appetit.

So, still think you made the right choice with the practice?

Oh, yeah. I get on really well with everyone there, so...

Sorry, they stop serving lunch at 3:00. We'd better order.

Um...how about we choose a couple of dishes each and share?

-Fine by me.

-I'll have chips with tomato sauce.

-What?

-Sharing won't work,

since I can't have chorizo, soft cheese or shellfish.

Well, don't tell me it slipped your mind.

He's an expert on eating the right things during pregnancy.

It's the way to have a healthy baby, apparently.

And we will, Jen, we will.

KNOCK AT DOOR

Hello?

We did say 2:30, didn't we?

Ah, yes. Thank you for being so prompt. What's on your mind?

Um...

I'm slightly concerned by your proposal earlier.

I know I'm the most senior and experienced GP at the Mill.

I'm not sure I'm quite ready for semi-retirement.

Let's not get worked up about it. Take a seat.

I'm very happy to stand, thank you.

-Of course.

-I'm sure you weren't meaning to be ageist,

but, um...I'm not some rickety old nag. I've never felt fitter.

Reducing your hours was merely a suggestion.

A gesture of appreciation.

Well, it won't be necessary.

Heston, I have the utmost respect for you.

If you want to carry on as normal, that's perfectly fine by me.

-Thank you.

-Excellent.

Well, let's leave it there, then, shall we,

unless you had something else you wanted to discuss?

No, nothing at all.

So, will you still be wanting time off next week?

Oh, Barry, this is perfect!

The photos are going to look stunning.

We could have champagne on the terrace!

By, er...champagne, you mean cava?

No, that's cheating. I just want the best.

And you shall have it.

I can't wait for you to be Mrs Valerie Biglow.

VALERIE LAUGHS

I think I'll stick with Pitman.

Hi, there!

You must be Valerie.

-And this is Barry.

-Aw!

I'm Courtney, here to plan every waking moment of your special day.

Do you charge for that?

He's kidding.

A sense of humour is important in any kind of relationship.

Shall we go in?

You've got to try that one, Sid.

Oh, um...I checked out your website. It's really impressive.

Yeah. Jen knows her stuff with marketing.

Obviously, we've hit a bit of a hiatus.

Yeah, well, that's just to be expected, isn't it?

But we'll get back on track.

We've got a lot to play for, now we're going to be parents.

You've not got any regrets about not coming into medicine?

Jen, you're not eating.

-The chips are too greasy.

-I'll tell them.

No, Finn, just give it a rest.

Same again?

Erm, yeah. No.

I wouldn't mind trying a different guest beer.

Is there a blonde one?

Why don't you go to the bar with Sid and choose?

Jenny?

No, thanks. I'm drowning in mineral water.

Yeah, I know the feeling.

Pint of Old Dog, please.

Jen's doing brilliantly, considering.

Yeah? You think?

-Why? Don't you?

-No, I just, erm...

I feel a bit uncomfortable about hiding the buggy. That's all.

Wouldn't it be better if we just came clean?

It'll only cause her more stress. Where are you going?

Loo. Won't be long.

It's hard keeping it together sometimes.

Yeah. Yeah, it must be.

ECHOING BABY'S CRY

This is our Imperial Suite,

which we use for most of our marriage ceremonies.

It's too big.

Not a problem.

We have another room with a more intimate feel.

Oh, we can easily fill this one.

My friend, Ricky Delaine, will probably want to bring

some of his colleagues from musical theatre.

Ooh, sounds like a real fairytale wedding.

Oh, it is. Yeah.

Ricky's going to sing, either at the service or for our first dance.

We haven't quite decided yet.

But what we do know is,

we want to release doves during his performance.

Now, that's a lovely idea,

but the manager isn't too keen on having livestock inside.

They're a little too spontaneous in the toilet department.

Oh, I hadn't thought of that.

We had a Harry Potter themed wedding last year,

with a young deer representing the Patronus.

You wouldn't believe the mess.

I'd set my heart on doves.

Oh, don't worry.

We could have paper ones, suspended from the ceiling.

Oh, they're so realistic, you wouldn't believe.

They flap their wings and make a cooing noise.

This could be accompanied by simulated rainbow lighting.

So, when you say "cooing", do you mean, like,

COO!

It's subtle, restful,

like this,

Coo! Coo!

Ah, bless! I call that look "bamboozled bridegroom".

SHE LAUGHS

I see it so many times.

The girls will sort things out as they always do.

Hey. Sorry I'm late.

One of my mums thought she was in labour.

Turned out it was just trapped wind.

SHE LAUGHS

What's wrong?

Oh, nothing.

Heston.

It's fine.

OK. Suit yourself.

This will put a smile on your grumpy face.

The kids are sorted for next week, so Tuscany is on.

That's great, yeah?

I'm sorry, Ruhma, I can't go.

What?

You asked me to arrange everything and...

I know. It's just...

It's not possible for me to get time off at the moment.

Why?

Well, Anthony's introduced all these new initiatives.

Oh, and the initiatives include not having annual leave?

He's just come back from holiday himself!

As a senior member of staff, my input is needed.

I'm sorry, Heston, I'm not buying this. What's going on?

I just told you!

Why do I even bother?

Don't cry. Sh. Don't cry.

# Rock-a-bye baby on the tree-top

# When the wind blows, the cradle will rock

# When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall

# And down will come baby, cradle and all. #

Jen, what are you doing?

Sh, you'll wake them up.

OK, listen, you're not making sense.

Why? Everything's fine, isn't it?

I'm well impressed with the buggy.

It's got all the bells and whistles.

Nicely sprung.

British Safety Standard.

Jen, don't, please.

There's even a label showing twin babies riding in it.

In case you weren't sure what it was for.

It's like one of those silly serving suggestions.

Mine is much more imaginative.

We've got to put this away.

No, Finn, we can't put it away.

Look, I'll send it back

and we'll get a lovely new one for our little girl.

There's no point, is there?

She's dead, too!

This is where you'll have your wedding breakfast.

It's like a banqueting room in a palace!

Isn't it just!

We have extensive menus.

Our chef has Michelin stars virtually

coming out of his ears.

How much for a roast dinner with all the trimmings?

We are not having a roast dinner.

Common.

I would like lobster, and meringue swans for dessert.

I've never had lobster and I hate swans.

I was under the impression you were giving me everything I wanted!

It's my wedding as well.

Oops, conflict.

Organising a wedding can be so stressful, can't it?

Lucky I am here, to smooth things over.

So, why don't we take a deep breath and have a seat at the table.

Hm? Valerie?

Barry?

Now, I'm going to raise the subject of a date.

Because, after all,

this is the most important decision you're going to have to make.

Well, I was thinking April or May.

That is, if I don't change my mind.

So, April or May 2017?

No, this year.

That's impossible!

I could maybe squeeze a weekday this coming November.

No, that won't do at all.

Are you sure?

A winter wedding could be spectacular.

You could arrive in a sleigh with bells on.

I might be dead by then.

SHE LAUGHS You and your sense of humour!

Valerie is having treatment for cancer.

She's a very brave woman.

-Cake?

-I beg your pardon?

A...supplier left some samples for our wedding fair.

I'll go get them.

And then we'll have another look at the diary.

I don't like her attitude. Let's go.

This is where I want my wedding. I'm not going to change my mind.

Jenny, please, just talk to me. Are you in any pain?

I just know. A mother does.

-That doesn't follow. You had no idea last time.

-Thanks for that, Finn!

Thanks for reminding me my baby died without my even noticing!

-I'm sick of saying the wrong thing!

-OK, guys, just...

OK. Jenny, um...can you try and tell me

exactly what it is you're feeling?

Nothing.

Like I'm not pregnant any more.

OK, we'll, er...we'll get you to St Phil's.

No, I'm not going through that again.

-This is crazy!

-Finn, just...take it easy.

Look, you can't just do nothing, OK?

Why don't we take you to the Mill, get you checked over?

Will you agree to that?

Please?

If you're thinking of having lunch with me, you're too late.

I am so sorry.

There's something you're not telling me.

No, not at all. You know what Anthony's like, always...

Don't blame Anthony. This is clearly your decision.

A friend of mine is having complications with her pregnancy.

Jenny Weathers, she's a patient here. Can you have a look at her?

Yeah, of course I can.

HE SIGHS

-No! No, don't!

-What's happening to her?

This is perfectly safe. It's not going to hurt the baby.

There won't be a heartbeat!

And I can't bear to go through it again, I can't!

Jenny, look, I know this must be really terrible for you,

but...please, just let us try and help.

You and the baby might need medical treatment.

Jenny, please.

OK?

OK, there.

That is a very strong, regular heartbeat.

-Oh!

-Oh, thank you!

Everything's OK! What?!

I think a trip to St Phil's for extra reassurance.

OK, I'm going to leave you with Sid, OK.

JENNY SOBS

I don't understand why she's crying.

So ask her.

Seriously, the two of you have been through hell.

-You need to start talking about it.

-Hell?

Haven't you heard, Sid?

We're so lucky!

We are! We've a healthy baby!

And one that's dead, still lying inside me.

How unspeakably cruel is that?

Finn?

You do need to listen to her.

Eh?

Go on.

How am I meant to feel

when I give birth to my babies?

Joy for the healthy daughter,

or grief for the dead son?

Try not to worry about that yet.

Every day, I wonder...I wonder...if dying hurt.

Oh, don't say that, Jen, please.

What if you could hear his cry of pain?

Because I do.

It follows me around wherever I go.

And you know what the worst thing is?

I used to lie in bed, worrying how we'd cope financially with two kids.

And now one of them's died!

No way are you responsible for this!

But what if he knew?

I thought I had years to watch him grow.

So many chances to tell him...I loved him.

And now all that's taken away.

Have you any idea how that makes me feel?!

What do you think?

I don't know, Finn.

You'll have to tell me.

I wanted to be strong for you, like you've always been for me.

I was a mess until I met you and...

I dream about him...

..running around the garden, this little boy.

And he has your colour hair and,

and I wake up and I feel fantastic.

And then I remember.

I tried to push it away. I thought that was the way to handle it.

Not for me.

I have to grieve for him.

I'm terrified, Jen.

-I'm falling apart.

-I know.

THEY SOB

INSTRUMENTAL

Is this supposed to be chocolate?

Um...chocolate and beetroot with chilli.

I'd be inclined to stick to fruit cake.

Nobody has fruit cake these days.

Um...there's lemon and passion fruit

with a hint of sage, rhubarb and violet.

I'd set my heart on croquembouche, surrounded by bees.

Not real ones, of course, just the sugar craft ones

that they stick to the swirly, spinny, toffee stuff.

Hm. Lovely.

Right, during our little...interlude,

I prepared a rough estimate of the cost.

Just to give you an idea.

I'll take that. My department.

Now, you two have a chat,

I'll be around if you have any questions.

And, by the way, I'll pull out all the stops to find you a date.

You're such a special couple.

Do you think cooing doves will interfere with Ricky's performance?

What's the matter?

A-hem!

Valerie...I can't afford this.

-What are you talking about?

-I haven't got this kind of money.

I, er...I phoned St Phil's. They're expecting us.

Thanks for this, mate.

Sid, I'm sorry I was so rude about your present.

It's no problem. Honestly.

You bought them for our twins. It was a lovely thought.

I'd like to have them back.

SHE SIGHS

I'd like to tell our daughter the blue one was for her brother.

-KNOCK AT DOOR

-Come in.

Ruhma? We didn't really finish our conversation.

I said all I wanted to say.

I will take you to Tuscany.

In the summer.

It's much prettier then.

Well, I might not be able to get the time off.

I made the offer in the heat of the moment.

We'd had a lovely evening.

So, you didn't really mean it?

Of course I meant it!

I didn't think it through.

I'm a bungling idiot and I don't deserve you.

Well, I couldn't have put that better myself.

So...let me make amends.

It better be good.

Why don't we have a dinner party?

-Go on.

-Invite some friends.

-Anyone I want?

-Who do you want to ask?

-Karen. She's been a bit down in the dumps.

-OK.

-Rob, because I'd like to get to know him better.

-Yes.

-Valerie, if she's feeling up for it.

-Right.

Which goes without saying, we'd have to include Barry.

-Would we?

-Yeah.

Please don't cry.

We'll have a lovely wedding with our friends.

They do receptions at The Pig and Whistle.

I am not having my wedding breakfast at The Pig and Whistle!

It's under new management.

We can have salmon and lemon meringue pie for pudding.

Mrs Tembe could make the cake, Jimmi could take the photos

and I'll even make invitations with swans on.

You promised me my dream wedding.

If I had the money to match my feelings, I'd be a millionaire.

But I'm just a security guard.

It's my dying wish!

Valerie, I can't give you what I haven't got.

HE SIGHS

You haven't seen anyone go past in the last few minutes, have you?

A guy about my age on a red mountain bike?

I saw a small lady with a big dog. Alsatian, I think it was.

How is Joe doing?

Really well. Thank you for asking.

-No problem, I'll get on to it right away.

-His name's Han Shen.

And I wondered how you would feel about me trying one out on you?

-Being your guinea pig?

-HE LAUGHS